

Material
Relay
Material is a weekly discussion about the Google and Android universe. Your intrepid hosts try to answer the question, “What holds up the digital world?” The answer, so far, is that it’s Google all the way down. Hosted by Andy Ihnatko and Florence Ion.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 9, 2022 • 1h 30min
384: Grey Text
Last week's podcast, today! 'Tis the season for sickness, but we're back in your ears with two episodes this week. First up: Andy does a solo show where he recaps his Nest WiFi Pro experience and notes from Google's AI@ day.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Trade: Save Big, Support Small Roasters. Get $30 off your first order.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
Links and Show Notes:
10-hour Thriller Dance
Nest Wifi Pro
Google AI@ Day '22
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Oct 28, 2022 • 1h 9min
383: No Defense
This week, Flo wonders why her Google search page is rife with ads, and Andy is excited over his Nest WiFi Pro on the way. The two friends discuss Alphabet's third-quarter earnings call this week. Plus, updates to the Google Home and YouTube apps.
Links and Show Notes:
Alphabet (A shares) (GOOGL) Q3 2022 Earnings Call Transcript
Check out your cameras on the web with Google Home
YouTube Has a Refreshed Look & Feel
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Oct 22, 2022 • 1h 10min
382: Clock’s Ticking
Lately, Andy and Flo's world has revolved around getting the know their Pixel Watch review units. Then, we chat about The Information's report that Google is scaling back on the Assistant and what we think of this week's Messages update.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.
Links and Show Notes:
Report: Google “doubles down” on Pixel hardware, cuts Google Assistant support | Ars Technica
Our Favorite Pixel Watch Feature: Mystery Adhesive
Google's Latest Android Messaging Update Has Some iMessage Vibes
Google slides into Tim Cook's mentions to promote 'Team Pixel' ... while tweeting from an iPhone
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Oct 15, 2022 • 1h 13min
381: Pixels Pixels Pixels
The two friends made it to the opera! Andy and Flo recap last week's Google Pixel boot camp. Then, we discuss our first impressions of the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Watch.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Trade: Save Big, Support Small Roasters. Get $30 off your first order.
Links and Show Notes:
Google’s Pixel 7 Still Has the Best Smartphone Camera
Google's Pixel Watch is Nice, But It's Missing Some Oomph
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Oct 6, 2022 • 1h
380: Convince Me, Google
It's the eve of the Pixel event. Flo is feeling crummy, and Andy has sandwich fantasies. Will these two friends finally make it to the opera? Find out next week! Until then, here's a rundown of the new Nest devices Google introduced this week, including a highly-anticipated update to the Google Home app.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Hover: Make a name for yourself. Get 10% off any domain name.
Links and Show Notes:
Google Launches Nest WiFi Pro Mesh Router With 6GHz, Plus a New Nest Doorbell
The Google Home App Is Getting a Necessary Revamp
Keep an eye outside with the new wired Nest Doorbell
Reimagining the future of Google Home
Get a faster connection with Wi-Fi 6E on Nest Wifi Pro
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 30, 2022 • 1h 20min
379: The TikTok-ification of Search
Flo is still under the weather, making it the perfect time to test out the new Chromecast with Google TV HD. Andy's got the iPhone 14 Pro. We'll run down the major parts of Google's Search On event this week. And we'll explain why we're not surprised that Google shuttered Stadia.
Links and Show Notes:
Search On
Google Maps Will Now 'Vibe Check' Your Destination's Neighborhood For You
A message about Stadia and our long term streaming strategy
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 23, 2022 • 1h 17min
378: It’s a Hap-Hap-Happy Day
Andy is tired of diehards, and Flo is taking a break from the Apple Watch. We get into what's coming from Google, including the newly announced Chromecast with Google TTV (HD). Plus, Framework is making a modular Chromebook, Google Arts & Culture dropped a cool game, and we're loling over LOLNeRF.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Trade: Save Big, Support Small Roasters. Get $30 off your first order.
Links and Show Notes:
Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is Here to Revive Your Old Screens
Framework's Chromebook Is Bringing Modularity to ChromeOS
Play The Descent of the Serpent, the first video game from Google Arts & Culture
Google AI Blog: LOLNeRF: Learn from One Look
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 16, 2022 • 1h 8min
377: Macroeconomics
Flo is back! And Andy brought a cake! It's the best way to start a podcast between two friends who have missed one another. Flo and Andy discuss the new iPhone 14 Pro and why it's compelling. They also strategize what Google needs to do to make the Pixel 7 a hit.
Then, a bit of an update on all the goings-on internally at Google. Last week, Sundar Pichai was at the Code Conference talking about cutting down the Alphabet workforce. It's a bit worrying after the news that Google shut down the next Pixelbook project, along with a chunk of Area 150.
Links and Show Notes:
Andy's cake for Flo ♥
Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Makes Ditching Android More Tempting Than Ever
Google potato chips are back for the Pixel 7 in Japan
Google CEO says he hopes to make the company 20% more efficient, hints at potential cuts
Google canceled its next Pixelbook and shut down the team building it
More Google cost cutting cancels half of the Area 120 projects
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 9, 2022 • 47min
376: Hootenanny and a Half
Flo will be back next week, so enjoy this week's last Andy solo show for a while. It was Apple event week, so there was lots of Apple vs. Google talk. Andy walks through some of the iPhone 14/14 Pro and Apple Watch's new features and where Android could do better. And then, a call out to Tim Cook, who would rather have you buy your mom an iPhone than open up iMessage to Android users. Le sigh!
Links and Show Notes:
Apple iPhone 14, Watch Ultra, New AirPods Pro Hands-On: All You Need For Modern Life
Tim Cook revealed the real reason Apple won't fix green bubbles
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 6, 2022 • 1h 1min
375: A Forgotten Psychological Disorder
It's another Andy solo show this week because Flo got the stupid virus. Always in solidarity, Andy spends the first part of this week's podcast reminding you why you should wear that mask. Then, Andy gets into the Google news of the week, including new widgets and rumors sprouting up on what Android 14 could feature. And on the search engine side, Andy explains how the company is gearing up for this year's U.S. midterm elections.
Links and Show Notes:
Long COVID: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
COVID Data Tracker
Nostalgia: a 'forgotten' psychological disorder
'New Google.com' adds weather, news, other widgets
Android 14 to feature satellite connectivity support
The 2022 U.S. midterm elections on YouTube
Learn how we fine-tune the Nest doorbell ringtones
Support Material with a Relay FM Membership